If you have been considering getting cosmetic crown work done in Salt Lake City, here is some information that will help you understand the procedure in which it is preformed.

What is a Crown?

A crown is like a cap that goes over a tooth preparation. Sometimes, when a tooth is very heavily restored, its multiple fillings may not look good or last long because even the strongest filling materials have their limitations. The most durable solution for restoring badly damaged teeth is to prepare the tooth for a crown. The crown not only protects remaining tooth structure, but also restores the original appearance of the tooth.

Procedure

Unlike fillings, crowns cannot be constructed in one visit. The dentist must first take impressions of your mouth to make some study models and also to construct temporary crowns, usually made of resin. Study models help the dentist plan the case. Every tooth is unique and will require the dentist to exercise judgement on where to trim the tooth and how much to trim. For cosmetic cases where tooth positions are changed by crowning, the dentist may have to discuss his plans with the patient before proceeding to the preparation stage.

Teeth which are still vital will feel sensitive when trimmed, so a local anaesthetic is usually given. This is to make space for the crown and adequate clearance is absolutely necessary. The thicker the crown, the stronger it is. Once the preparation is complete, the dentist takes an impression of the prepared teeth with a rubbery material. The final crowns will be fabricated on this impression. At the end of the crown preparation visit, temporary crowns are cemented to protect the remaining tooth structure.

When the permanent crown is completed in the laboratory (usually takes about a week), the temporary cowns are removed from the mouth to be replaced by the porcelain crown which is then permanently cemented over the prepared tooth. The crowning process is thus completed.

Crowns can be very simple or complex, depending on the condition of the mouth and the needs of the patient. Mobile teeth are not suitable for crowning. Teeth with bleeding gums will also affect the accuracy of the impression. For cosmetic realignment, a considerable amount of skill and experience are required.

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If you have other questions you need answered or if you are interested in scheduling an appointment, you may contact Dr. David Duke of Dental Designs of Salt Lake City, Utah at 801-355-2202.

Could you imagine never smiling, always keeping your hand over your mouth when you talk, or just ashamed to show your teeth? There are a lot of people who have no idea what it is like to smile from ear to ear because they are embarrassed of their teeth. In our Salt Lake City dentist office we provide, teeth whitening, gum contouring, bonding, white fillings, crowns, veneers, implants and Invisalign. Thanks to the many different procedures that cosmetic dentistry provides everyone can have something to smile about.

Teeth Whitening
Whitening your teeth is probably the most common cosmetic dentistry procedure. There are many different options you can use. Anyone can buy over-the-counter whitening products that will help improve the front surface of your teeth. For the best results you can visit our Salt Lake City dentist office to have custom fit bleach trays made especially for you. These custom whitening kits come with whitening gel that you put directly in your bleach trays. You can use the trays as much as they want to get the desired result. Once you are happy with the color of your teeth, you can touch up as often as you would like.

If you are having other cosmetic dentistry procedures done, you may want to whiten your teeth first so you can match the work to the new color because bonding, crowns, or veneers do not whiten.

Gum Contouring
In or Salt Lake City dentist office we have patients come in who complain that they have “short stubby teeth” or a “gummy smile.” In reality their gums have just grown over their teeth. Gum contouring can reveal long, beautiful teeth. Gum contouring is done in our Salt Lake City dentist office with local anesthetic. It may take the tissue up to two weeks to heal completely. This is a great option for our patients.

Bonding and White Fillings
Bonding is a term used by cosmetic dentists for applying white filling material on your teeth. This can be a great procedure to close small gaps or fix small chips in your front teeth. Bonding does cost less but definitely doesn’t last as long as a crown or veneer. It will only last for 5-10 years. Bonding will also stain depending on your hygiene habits. Smoking, drinking coffee and tea will stain it a lot faster.
White filling is the back of you mouth is a great option too. Dentist used to use silver amalgam filling to fix cavities. Cosmetic dentists are now using white filling materials to fix the back teeth, it looks a lot better and is better for your tooth. A lot of patients in our Salt Lake City dentist office are having us change out their silver filling to white fillings.

Veneers and Crowns
Porcelain Veneers and Crowns are great options for patients to change their smile. They can close gaps, fix mildly crooked teeth, change the color or your teeth and replace old broken down dentistry. Unlike bonding, porcelain veneers and crowns are created in a lab outside your mouth from mould of your teeth. They won’t stain, so the color you choose will be the color they always are. They also last a lot longer then bonding, if you have good oral hygiene they can last up to 20 years. Every patient in our Salt Lake City dentist office who has this done always says, “If I knew it was this easy and would have looked so good I would have done it a long time ago!”

Dental Implants
Implants are great options for our patients to replace missing teeth. Once the implant is in, it is like you were never missing the tooth. You can eat with them, brush and floss just like normal.

Invisalign
Invisalign is a great way for our patients in our Salt Lake City dentist office to straighten their teeth. It is a great alternative to traditional braces. No one will even know you are going through treatment because it is practically invisible. With Invisalign you are able to keep your gums healthy because you can remove the trays to eat, drink and brush and floss your teeth.

Everyone should be confidant to smile from ear to ear because of they many ways that cosmetic dentistry can help. If any of these cosmetic dentistry procedures are something you are interested in please look at Dental Designs of Salt Lake Website for more information. We offer free cosmetic consultations in our office.